How 5 Atlanta Women Budget For Their Injectable Treatments

It’s common sense: if you see a service, treatment, or product as a non-negotiable, you find a way to keep it in your routine, no matter how tight money is. For some people, that means that even in months they’ve overspent on eating out or boutique fitness classes, they still find the budget for their favorite medical aesthetics treatments. No matter how good you are with your finances, this isn’t necessarily easy. To understand exactly how to do this, we tracked down five Atlanta-based women who share how they have prioritized their spending when it comes to medical aesthetics. Keep reading to learn about their spending habits, their stance on injectables, and how they’re structuring budgets to afford them all.

First Name: LindzeAge: 42Occupation: Manager for Costume Production StudioLocation: Atlanta

What do you get done, and how often? Injectable wrinkle reducer every four to five months. Lip and dermal filler, preferably one to two times a year.

[Editor’s note: Injectable wrinkle reducers temporarily smooth the look of moderate to severe wrinkles in certain areas of the face, including the forehead, frown lines, and crow’s feet; they should not be used more frequently than every three months. Injectable filler is a temporary treatment that adds volume to areas of the face such as the lips, cheeks, and laugh lines. Like any medical treatment, both injectable wrinkle reducers and injectable fillers have potential risks and side effects. Talk to a licensed provider to see if they’re right for you. And learn more now by chatting with a trained aesthetic specialist.]

Average spend per visit on injectables: $400 to $1,500, depending on filler

Yearly spend on injectables: More than $2,000

How you budget for injectables? I live a fairly frugal life and splurge very rarely. I don’t shop often for clothing, don’t travel much, and don’t buy costly things for my home or myself. But this is my one “frivolous” expense, and I typically have to use a credit card and pay it down over time. If I get any sort of bonus or large sum of money, such as tax refund, stock/bond gain, or freelance job, often, this is my one "treat" that I’ll use part or all of it for.

What is your stance on injectables? I personally prefer them to look [subtle]. I am lucky to have a provider who [specializes in subtle-looking filler injections]. No one knows I have them.

Your face is your first impression. I want to take careful care of it. Many people don’t realize that you lose a considerable amount of the collagen in your body, which is what gives skin that "plump" look. [With filler,] I’m just replenishing what was lost!

As with all procedures, my moral stance is that it should be something you want to do, but don’t feel obligated to do. It’s important to think about your motives, as well as your feelings toward yourself and injectables, in general. If you’re hoping it will fix all your problems, you probably will be disappointed, as it’s not meant to be a total life makeover!

What do you get done, and how often? Injectable wrinkle reducer every three to four months in my forehead, between my eyes [glabella], and on the corners of my eyes [crow’s feet]. Filler once a year in my smile lines and a little [by] my cheekbones.

Average spend per visit on injectables: $500 to $600

Yearly spend on injectables: Around $2,000

Do you budget for injectables? Yes! I budget out of my "discretionary fund” (i.e. a separate account from my husband’s and family’s budget). I had to stop routine manicures and pedicures, and space out my haircut and color [appointments]. I've also changed my exercise to at-home workouts, so I no longer go to pricier studios. These slight changes have allowed me to add in pricier items, such as injectable wrinkle reducer [treatments].

What is your stance on injectables? I love [the results]! It's a personal decision, and injections need to be done by [a licensed] provider. Mine is very professional, and there’s no pressure to buy products or [try additional treatments].

What do you get done, and how often? Injectable wrinkle reducer every four months.

Average spend per visit on injectables: $400

Yearly spend on injectables: $1,200

How you budget for injectables? I build a budget every month and allot money per month specifically for [injectables]. If I don't use it that month, it rolls over to the next. I know when I have a treatment coming up, and I'll let a few months of funds roll over.

What is your stance on injectables? I am all for them. My friends also get injectables, and I'm working on getting my family and a few coworkers to try it as well.

What’s your most costly beauty or medical aesthetics expense? Injectable wrinkle reducer [aesthetics expenses], as well as makeup, hair, and trying new products. Treating myself to new items and treatments are worth the expense — I consider it all an experience.

What do you get done, and how often? Injectable wrinkle reducer every three months, filler every six months.

Average spend per visit on injectables: $250-300

Yearly spend on injectables: $3,000

How you budget for injectables? While I don’t budget or sacrifice for the expense, I have financial reserves that I tap into occasionally and judiciously [for injectables].

What is your stance on injectables? I’ve been getting injectables since 2014, and I love [my results]. My friends definitely get them, as well as a few of my work peers — mostly injectable wrinkle reducer.

What’s your most costly beauty or medical aesthetics expense? I would say that my most costly expenses are beauty products for cleansing, hydration, and moisture. And eye products! Plus, I spend a lot on my hair, such as highlights, cut, shampoo and other hair products. And I also spend on makeup. I'm very particular about my foundation, so I use Chanel products.

What do you get done, and how often? Lip filler once or twice a year, and injectable wrinkle reducer three to four times per year.

Average spend per visit on injectables: Up to $1,000, depending on treatment

Yearly spend on injectables: $3,000

How you budget for injectables? I try to be mindful of purchasing excessive clothing or things I don’t need. I plan my groceries better, and limit drinking (biggest money waster!).

What is your stance on injectables? I love the [results]! [They can be a great] tool to incorporate into your routine.

What’s your most costly beauty or medical aesthetics expense? My most costly [aesthetics expense] has to be my injectables, and my skincare routine. The average price of each skincare item I use is about $65, and I have an extensive routine for my skin.

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